It's Starting To Look Like Fall -Y'all! {Decorating Tip Alert}

Thanks for indulging me over the weekend with my pregnancy meltdown post!  A girl's entitled to one every now and then right?!?!  If you happened to miss it, go HERE.  I must admit, I liked typing that post.  The reason is that I am so much more than decorating and renovating.  I have so many thoughts and ideas in my head and a blog is a great place to express and share those ideas and sides of me.  I have a soft side, a feisty side, a compassionate side, and a "lace up your boots and get to work"side.  I love to cook and decorate, but I also like to watch a good movie or get lost in a good book.  I love my children forever but I don't always like them and I am grateful for awesome friends but at times feel lonely and forgotten.  I have a passion for my religion like no other and love to feel God near.  My husband is my everything and I don't know what I would do without him.  In short, I'm a human being with the range of emotions and interests just like everyone else and I think it's important to share every side of me here.  So, I'm not quite sure where that will take me but I'm hoping it will give me a chance to be a better blogger and for all of you to feel more connected to me. It's going to require me to dig deep at times because I do care what others think but you really have to not care in order to be real and true - and I'm all about REAL!  It will be an adventure!

After my rant on Saturday my 5 year old was BEGGING me to get out my fall decorations.  He really cracks me up with his excitement.  It's contagious and he was not letting me off the hook.  I was so glad too because by the end of the night my house looked so much better and just made me happy!  I know earthly things don't make us happy, but when things are pretty, they can make the things that really do matter so much more meaningful.

Since this is a new house I have to work a little bit at finding a good spot for everything.  Today I'm going to just share my mantle because I love how it turned out!

Having a theme or one central piece is usually a good place to start in your decorating.  When Greg and I were over in Kansas City for his half marathon last week he humored me after and let me do some vintage decor shopping.  The first shop we went into had this little lady on display and I snatched her up for $6.  We affectionately call her the "Pumpkin Witch".

As I took all my decorations out I came across this sign which I've had for years and it just fit so perfectly with my new picture and her hand gesture.

With these two things I proceeded to build my own little "Pumpkin Patch" along my mantle and around the base of my fireplace.  I love it!!  It's fun and whimsical but still tasteful and classy.  I apologize for the glare, there was little I could do about it.

Here is one of my favorite decorating tips that I'm going to pass on to all of you.  When decorating, find at least one piece that is "out there".  What I mean by this is, find something unique and fun that is not expected.  It draws people in and gives an element of intrigue that doesn't exist if you just do everything predictable.  This can be done when decorating with a theme like fall or Christmas as well as in everyday design.  The perfect example of this was in my old house in the dining room.  In every way, that room was traditional.  The color, table, mirror, and rug all had very traditional lines, but then I threw in a very modern chandelier.  That room was my favorite in the whole house.  It drew you in and left you wanting to see more.

Don't' be afraid to test the limits.  You can go edgy and still achieve the look you want.  I challenge you to try it this holiday season and I'd love to see what you come up with!

I hope this starts you off for a great week!  Our master bathroom is going to get going this week!!  So excited and terrified about that.  Lots of choices that are permanent lay ahead.  Wish me luck!

Happiest of Mondays!